Tigers Minor League Recap – 6/3

Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A)

Final: Toledo 10  – Iowa 2

Top Performer(s):

Max Clark, CF – 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR, BB

Gage Workman, SS – 1-for-4, R, 2B, BB

Ben Malgeri, LF – 1-for-3, R, 2 BB, SB

Hao-Yu Lee, 2B – 2-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR

Eduardo Valencia, C – 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, HR, BB

Tyler Gentry, RF – 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Troy Watson – 3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 4 K

Ricky Vanasco – 1.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K, Win

Woo-Suk Go – 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K

Game notes:

The Mud Hens and the Cubs played early in the afternoon in a game that never swayed in the direction of Iowa. Toledo maintained control of the strike zone the entire night, walking eight times at the plate and only allowing one walk from the rubber. Tyler Gentry made the first jab in the third, with a solo home run, his third of the year. Eduardo Valencia did the same in the fifth inning. Unfortunately, Statcast was unable to pick up the distances of these home runs. However, Statcast picked up the distance of Max Clark’s second home run in as many days, a 420 foot moonshot. Troy Watson started the game, throwing nearly four scoreless innings and was followed by a bullpen that grew goose eggs, until the Cubs finally gathered a two runs in the ninth. The Mud Hens improve to 27-31 and look to get back to .500 after finishing the month of May on a five game skid.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Carl Edwards Jr. (1-4, 8.57 ERA) vs Vince Velasquez (1-4, 6.46 ERA)

Erie SeaWolves (Double-A)

Final: Erie 4  – Richmond 2

Top Performer(s):

Seth Stephenson, CF – 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, SB

Brett Callahan, RF – 2-for-5, RBI, 2B

Justice Bigbie, LF – 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB

Bennett Lee, C – 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR

Kenny Serwa – 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 7 K

Game notes:

Kenny Serwa and the Erie SeaWolves faced the Richmond Flying Squirrels after the SeaWolves fell short of a late inning comeback last night. Serwa threw five innings of one run ball, punching out seven batters in a bounce back start for the knuckleballer. Bennett Lee launched a game-tying home run ball over left field fence from the nine-hole to lead off the eighth inning. Justice Bigbie later walked in a run to take the lead, and Peyton Graham added on a much needed insurance run. Luke Taggart shut down the door in the ninth. The SeaWolves look to get back to .500 tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Carlos Pena (3-2, 5.33 ERA) vs Greg Farone (0-4, 6.52 ERA)

West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A)

Final: Dayton 4 – West Michigan 6

Top Performer(s):

Woody Hadeen, DH – 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB

Bryce Rainer, SS – 1-for-4, R, RBI, 2B

Andrew Sears – 3 IP, H, ER, 4 K

Ben Jacobs – 5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, Win

Game notes:

Andrew Sears made his third rehab assignment with West Michigan as he looks to get back to his starting role in Erie after a left elbow injury. He threw three innings of one run ball, and was followed by rising star, Ben Jacobs in a piggyback role, where he tied his season high in innings pitched. It’s his second consecutive start surrendering three earned runs. Jacobs’ has struck out six or more batters in seven out of ten starts this season between Lakeland and West Michigan. Onto the offense, the Whitecaps entered the fifth inning down three to zip, but a series of events led to Andrew Sojka hitting a floater to centerfield to tie the game. Victor Acosta of the Dayton Dragons broke the tie in the top of the seventh with a triple. Bryce Rainer tied the game the following inning with a double, and Clayton Campbell drove in the go-ahead run with a blooper to right field. Jalen Evans sealed the deal with his first save of the season in the ninth. West Michigan plays again tomorrow at LMCU Ballpark.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Kyle McCoy (1-1, 6.75 ERA) vs Lucas Elissalt (0-3, 5.35 ERA)

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A)

Final: Fort Myers 6 – Lakeland 11

Top Performer(s):

Jordan Yost, SS – 1-for-2, 3 R, BB, SB

Jude Warwick, 2B – 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, BB

Beau Ankeney, 1B – 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B

Edian Espinal, DH – 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B

Hunter Dobbins, C – 1-for-4, R, 4 RBI, HR

Cash Kuiper – 4.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, K

Game notes:

The Flying Tigers ran a box score oddity today, scoring eleven runs on seven hits thanks to batting 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position and only one runner being left on base. Lakeland began the game by putting a three-spot on Fort Myers. The Mighty Mussels tied the game in the fourth, took the lead in the fifth, although the Flying Tigers took back the lead courtesy of a Jude Warwick two-run triple. JP Smith tied the game with a solo homer in the seventh inning. Lakeland took the lead back for the final time in the eighth inning with a six-run inning that was fueled by a Hunter Dobbins two-out grand salami. Lakeland evened up their record to 26-26 and look to get on top tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Justin Mitrovich (0-1, 1.15 ERA) vs Malachi Witherspoon (2-1, 5.18 ERA)

DSL Tigers 2 (Dominican Summer League)

Final: Tigers 3 – Marlins 8

Top Performer(s):

Eduardo Tusen, DH – 1-for-3, R, 2B

Andy Mata, SS – 1-for-3, 2 RBI

Kendrick Hernandez, 1B – 2-for-3, RBI, 3B

Yeuri Ramirez – 2.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, K, Loss

Game notes:

The DSL Tigers took on the DSL Marlins in their third game of the season. Dominican Summer League games can get messy in the department of fundamentals, but the Marlins stuck to the basics, only walking one batter and making one error, whereas the Tigers made three errors. Those three errors allowed for three unearned runs. The Tigers and Marlins finished the first inning, tied at two a piece but the Marlins refused to let off the gas pedal, scoring in four of their five remaining innings. One takeaway from this game is catcher, Manuel Bolivar refusal to allow the Marlins to rule the bases, nabbing three base runners on stolen base attempts. The Tigers lose their first game of the season and are back again Friday against the Rangers.

Hey Detroit Tigers fans! If you enjoy Tigers Minor League Report and want to help us keep bringing you the latest updates and in-depth analysis, consider contributing to our efforts. We operate entirely on a volunteer basis, and every bit of support goes a long way. You can donate to us directly via our GoFundMe or become a valued member by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Or take your fandom to the next level by joining our Patreon community. Additionally, you can shop for some awesome gear at our TMLR store. Your support helps us continue our mission to provide you with quality content on all things Tigers Minor League. Thank you!